Is My YouTube Video Too Long?

Statistics report decline in audience retention rates, but big time YouTubers continue to post 20-40 minute long videos. Who has time for that?  If you're asking yourself "Is my YouTube video too long?" you may be right...or talking yourself out of YouTube gold.

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Writing this, I do not know your audience. This blog should help you reflect on your channel and viewers. NO STANDSTILL CHANNELS!

​With that being said, everyone should experiment with different video lengths. This gives new visitors seeking passive entertainment a chance to choose their timed content. As you grow larger, you will begin to learn your audience and find more accurate analytics of your videos. 

Another thing to remember is video length determines ad placements, even if you are not monetized yet. You can incorporate one ad on a video under 10 minutes, but as of 2020, you can insert mid-roll ads in shorter videos. Personally, I try to always hit 10 minutes. If I can't do that in a video, I brainstorm bonus content to insert. 

You also must check your video's topic. Mukbang videos are a type of eating show where many people watch while eating their own meals. Those videos usually take longer. If your viewers finish eating before you, they'll scroll Instagram (preferably mine!) while your video finishes. Haul videos should be the length of how many items you have to show off. I mean, how many times can you use the word "cute" in one sit down? Don't ramble; make your words count.

Is My Video Too Long?

Some videos are better left uncut because it adds authenticity. But most of your videos deserve at least some light editing. Not taking the time to tighten your content is just plain lazy. It's also pretty rude wasting your audience's time. Your viewers will lose interest if you keep taking them for granted. Trisha Paytas, an original YouTuber, has great style, humor, and stories. Lately, she has uploaded uncut videos. Her audience still loves her topics but they complain about the lack of editing. This could catch up to her.

​Everyone should watch their video from start to finish before they upload. I try my best to feel like an audience member watching for the first time. If I start rambling, I immediately cut it out or consider overlaying B-roll. I cannot assume (or just helplessly wish that) people are so obsessed with me that they would want to listen to me talk about nothing.

Have you ever noticed that you can watch one YouTuber's 25+ minute video and then become bored with another YouTuber's video at the seven-minute mark? I don't think it's always about liking a YouTuber more or the video topic. My theory is that it is about delivery. If the YouTuber plays a character, especially one that is crazy and animated, the audience can only handle a short video. Liza Koshy understands her character becomes intense on screen, so her skits were 4-6 minutes in length. If the YouTuber tends to be more laid back and conversational, they need to give their audience more minutes. Shane Dawson knows that his audience likes to feel like they're hanging out with him and his friends or prefer him building suspense.

To further support this case, Bunny (under the channel name Grav3yardgirl) posted short videos for years. When Shane Dawson collabed with Bunny "to save her dying channel," he suggested that she have the creative freedom to upload longer videos. However, Bunny can never relax her on-camera self. She's always "on" to a degree. (I'm not shading her camera presence by describing it as bad, wrong, annoying, etc.)

I enjoy watching her videos. If they run longer than 10 minutes, I find myself bored after 11 minutes. I'm over it! It is the new mental rule instilled in me as a viewer. DO YOU AGREE WITH MY THOERY?? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS. I hope this video helped you answer the annoying question: Is my YouTube video too long?